Third and Fourth Sound in Liquid Helium II

Abstract

This article discusses the possible existence of two hitherto undetected types of wave propagation in liquid helium II. Third sound is a surface wave of long wavelength on a liquid helium film during which the normal component remains stationary and the superfluid component oscillates parallel to the wall. To treat this properly it is necessary to consider temperature changes and evaporation from the surface of the film. Fourth sound may exist in narrow two-sided channels. The normal component again remains stationary and the superfluid component oscillates parallel to the wall, but the width of the channel must remain fixed and so there are oscillations in both total density and temperature.